This is why New York needs a "KNIFE Free Act" (Knives Not Individual Freedom Exercise) Bill that will call for all pocket, kitchen, industrial, and packaging knives to be registered, have background checks run on the owners, and will require culinary classes for anyone wishing to possess one.

I hate crime stats. I hate these worthless articles just mentioning numbers.

The vast (like near 100%) majority of violent crime is between people who have some sort of relationship. Drug dealer/drug buyer, rival gang members, retaliation for a past violent crime, domestic violence.

All in all, if you aren't part of that system... you're not going to get hurt. Random crime is very rare. And even then, its generally partially the victim's fault. (e.g. getting mugged because you're walking alone in the middle of the night where you should know better not to be doing so.)

I've lived in the heart of one of the most violent cities in America for 7 years. I know hundreds of people. Only twice has there been an incident with anyone I know. A random mugging outside a grocery store, and an attempted mugging that my friend was able to luckily avoid because he was on bike.

However, "New Orleans is the murder capital of the country" stories pop up all the time.

Look, I don't want anyone murdered. I'm a human being, and feel for any family that has to deal with that. But face it... most murders are centered around people already engaged in dangerous behavior.

If you saw a story about deaths being up in some wooded area with lots of cliffs, would you be scared to enter such an area? How about if I told you all those deaths were people base jumping off a cliff? Same deal.

People don't seem to like per-capita statistics. When that is looked at, neither Chicago or New York break the top 10 in violent crimes, or even the top 15. You have to go to New Orleans, Memphis, or the perpetual embarrassment of the U.S., Detroit, for that. This would be like saying China is a better place to live than Switzerland because they have more food and technological conveniences.

Since Chicago is the new Detroit, good luck with the path you're on New York...

CSB time...

I was visiting New York with my wife in '99. We were walking through Central Park when 200 ft away a brawl broke out between ~50 teenagers. We were standing right next to a couple of park rangers on horseback when this happened. The conversation overheard went pretty much like this:

Cop #1: Should we get in there?

Cop #2: Not yet, lets see if they can sort this thing out for themselves first.

~crowd disperses after 4 minutes, 5-6 people are on the ground not moving~

italie:Since Chicago is the new Detroit, good luck with the path you're on New York...

CSB time...

I was visiting New York with my wife in '99. We were walking through Central Park when 200 ft away a brawl broke out between ~50 teenagers. We were standing right next to a couple of park rangers on horseback when this happened. The conversation overheard went pretty much like this:

Cop #1: Should we get in there?

Cop #2: Not yet, lets see if they can sort this thing out for themselves first.

~crowd disperses after 4 minutes, 5-6 people are on the ground not moving~

Cop #2: Alright, lets go.

Sounds like they sorted it out pretty well. No point in the cops going in there while the brawl is going on because they will become the targets for all sides.